Jefferson wins NFL PLAY 60 grant

Jefferson Elementary is one of only 34 schools nationwide to receive an $11,000 PLAY 60 Super School Grant from the NFL to combat childhood obesity. Amy Blevins, PE teacher, wrote the grant. It will fund classroom nutrition kits, and equipment for PE, recess and intramurals.

Campbell presented as inspirational message to students about physical activity and student achievement. He also taught the Ultimate Gym Class — jumping and pumping, cone course agility, football relay race, toning training and hula hooping.

Trip Reduction offers gift-card drawings for the holidays and beyond

If you participate in the district's Trip Reduction Program, you can win monthly prize drawings. New participants are eligible for $5 gift cards to Cold Stone Creamery. Continuing participants can win $20 Target gift cards. Bike, walk, take the bus or share a ride to work at least twice a month — and keep a log online. Get started now.

Earn national board certification

Certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is the most prestigious credential in the profession. Precandidacy classes will be 5-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 10-Feb. 28. Download the flier for information on reimbursement, professional leave, stipends and more.

Winners receive certificates and $400 for professional development. Please nominate your colleagues for their contributions to MPS and the positive difference they make in the lives of students and staff.

Earn extra money as a coach

The junior high boys flag football, girls volleyball and cross country seasons are set for Jan. 9-March 3. Would you like to coach one of the sports? The pay is $500. Please contact John Huckelberry, community education activities specialist, at (480) 472-7267 or jchuckel@mpsaz.org.

Apply for summer school supervisory jobs

Community Education needs summer school supervisors. Apply for the high school position by Jan. 9. The elementary posting closes Feb. 6. For details, log on to Community Ed's employment Web page.

Drop in at Ed Tech's open lab Dec. 8

Educational Technology trainers are on hand to help you during open labs. The next open lab is from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 8 at 546 N. Stapley Drive. Drop in with questions about Architeck, Grade Book, DataStore, Podcasting, SMART Board, Acuity, Mobi, SmartMath, LibGuides, MPS Connect and Clickers. Read more.

District, foundation honor Volunteer of the Month

Mike Nichols, school board clerk, surprised Patty Galaz of Redbird Elementary with the district's Volunteer of the Month Award in November. Winners receive $50 gift cards and books titled "The Heart of a Volunteer" from the Mesa Foundation for Educational Excellence.

"Thank you, thank you so much for the surprise," Galaz said through tears. "This is awesome! It's so great to work with you guys every day. It means a lot to me. To see all the kids and to help them with everything they need is amazing. Thank you." Nominate an outstanding volunteer.

Come to midyear retirement parties

Red Mountain High will host a reception for Nurse Ellie Ucci from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec. 14 in the library resource center at 7301 E. Brown Road, Mesa.

Request Facebook postings

Does your school or department have news of interest to parents and
the public? Community Relations will post your information, links, pdfs
and photos on the district's Facebook page. Send an e-mail to Lynda
Jordan, community relations specialist, at lkjordan@mpsaz.org. Questions? Call (480) 472-0224.

No Shave November — Johnson Elementary teachers Michael Gillilea, David Wilson and Randy Mann accepted the No Shave November challenge to highlight prostate cancer awareness. They have the beards to prove it!

Car show — Salk Elementary will host its annual Car Show for Cancer on March 24. It's open to all cars, trucks, motorcycles and specialty vehicles. Clubs may park together. Call Humberto Keeme at (602) 228-7279 or send an e-mail to stepbystep@cox.net for information.